Two stunners for you this week from Booths – a traditional ale and a wine from the new range they are bringing in store.

First, the wine from the DO (Designated area of Origin) of Somontano, in the north east of Spain close to the Pyrenees. The winery of Bodega Garirius is a modern winery that has produced this fantastic Somos Gewurztraminer 2011.

Gewürztraminers natural home is in the Alsace region of France but it is widely grown across the world and this example has a rich, golden colour followed on the nose by honeysuckle and orange blossom, with a pronounced taste of spice, floral and honey, followed with a crisp, dry finish and lingering length.

It is ideal for spicy food or weighty fish dishes like hake and monkfish. Available from Booths at £8.99 a bottle.

The beer this week is the Owd Rodger Ale, a strong English ale from Marston’s Brewery at Burton-upon-Trent which comes in at 7.4%.

The beer is a rich, country style ale with sweet nose followed by a fruit explosion reminiscent of a rich fruit cake. It is a ‘'sit by the fireplace on a cold winter’s night’ drink – try it with a hearty stew. Available from Booths at £2.59 a bottle.

  • Graeme Hedley is sommelier and expert on food and wine at Kendal College’s Lakes Hotel School